To ensure participation, transparency and continuity, C20 work is driven by a governance structured by the following spheres:

C20 Troika: The Troika structure allows for dialogue and coordination between the leading civil society organizations from the current, previous and following G20/C20 host countries.

C20 Chair and Co-Chairs: Responsibles for facilitating the C20 process, representing C20, structuring the Secretariat, choosing the C20 Sherpa, making pronouncements and dialogue with other actors involved in G20.

C20 Sherpa: Chosen each year by the Chair and Co-Chair, the C20 Sherpa is the main point of contact with external stakeholders (G20 representatives, international organizations, media, and other G20 engagement groups). Together with the Chair is also responsible for ensuring a fluent and effective dialogue among C20 Working Group Chairs, mainstreaming relevant areas of work and developing the C20 schedule, for approval by the SC and the IAC. 

C20 Secretariat: Responsible for the administrative, financial and logistical coordination tasks. 

International Advisory Committee (IAC): Composed by representatives of international CSOs with experience working within G20, the IAC’s main roles are to advise the Chair, the Sherpa and the Steering Committee on strategic decision-making and contribute to disseminating C20 recommendations among key stakeholders. 

C20 Steering Committee (SC): It is the executive body responsible for ensuring that the C20 is an open and diverse space that facilitates a broad range of civil society views of the G20. It leads the production of recommendations, ensures the C20 Working Groups meet regularly among themselves and with government representatives and helps coordinate the agendas for C20 meetings. The SC works alongside and is advised by the International Advisory Committee.

The SC and the IAC are composed of CSOs with expertise in various areas of C20 engagement, invited by the Chair and Co-Chair based on two major criteria: experience of working at C20/G20 level, and geographic and thematic representation. It must consider regional and gender balance, with attention given to the representation of marginalized and underrepresented groups.

To ensure continuity in the IAC and SC, at least two members in each body should stay on from the previous cycle. At the same time, the principle of rotation should be applied to both the SC and IAC, with members serving beyond three consecutive years only in exceptional circumstances. Communication must be fluid between Co-chairs, Sherpa, SC and IAC for decision-making on strategic and key issues.